Street Wallet Acquires Digitip to Offer E-Payments to Informal Workers

Key Takeaways

Street Wallet’s acquisition of Digitip signals growing consolidation in South Africa’s digital payments space, especially within the underserved informal economy. Informal workers and traders represent a large share of South Africa’s workforce but remain excluded from traditional banking. By combining Street Wallet’s infrastructure with Digitip’s tipping platform, the merged business aims to accelerate financial inclusion by providing low-cost, instant, and flexible payment options. This model also reflects broader regional fintech trends, where startups are building solutions tailored to the realities of cash-heavy economies while leveraging mobile penetration to expand access. The deal strengthens Street Wallet’s regional presence, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, and positions it to scale nationwide. For informal traders, access to lower-cost transactions and same-day payouts could be transformative, helping them better manage liquidity and build financial resilience. For investors, the acquisition highlights how niche fintech solutions are converging to serve Africa’s informal sector — a massive, yet largely untapped, market.